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Fight Song (Rachel Platten song)

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"Fight Song"
The side profile of a young woman with blonde hair, a tan hat, and a white top. A white border surrounds the image, with the name, Rachel Platten, and title, "Fight Song", standing above and below the image, respectively, in black typeface.
Single by Rachel Platten
from the album Wildfire and the EP Fight Song
B-side"Lone Ranger"
ReleasedFebruary 19, 2015 (2015-02-19)
Recorded2014
GenrePop rock
Length3:24
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jon Levine
Rachel Platten singles chronology
"1,000 Ships"
(2011) 		"Fight Song"
(2015) 		"Stand by You"
(2015)
Music video
"Fight Song" on YouTube

"Fight Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Rachel Platten, released on February 19, 2015, through Columbia Records. The song was included on Platten's debut extended play (EP) of the same name (2015), and her second studio album, Wildfire (2015). The pop rock song was written by Platten and Dave Bassett, and produced by Jon Levine. Platten, at the time a struggling musician, was inspired to write the song to promote self-empowerment.

Music critics praised "Fight Song"'s message and Platten's vocal performance. The song was nominated for and won awards, including a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program. In the United States, the song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It also reached the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, attaining gold and multi-platinum certifications in all except Ireland and Japan.

James Lees directed the music video for "Fight Song", which features Platten wandering around a city and performing at a bar. In further promotion, Platten performed the song at award shows, sporting events, and as guest on Taylor Swift's tour. Media usage has included placement in popular films, television shows, and commercials. It was adopted as a campaign song by Hillary Clinton for her 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

Composition

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In the version published at Musicnotes.com by Platten Music Publishing, the sheet music is in the key of G major with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of G – D – Em – C, and Platten's vocals span from G3 to E5.[1] Musically, "Fight Song" is a pop rock song backed by a piano. "Fight Song" starts off with a simple melody played on the piano, as Platten starts to sing the first stanza and pre-chorus which introduces a drum and horns that play throughout. The song ends with an acoustic guitar, as Platten sings the outro. It has a duration of three minutes and twenty-two seconds.[2]

Critical reception

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"Fight Song" has received positive reviews from critics, who agree that the song's positive message and Platten's vocals were the song's strongest features. A review by Markos Papatados from the Digital Journal stated "The lyrics for 'Fight Song' are captivating and they tug at the heartstrings. It is a track from her Fight Song EP, which was released on May 15. Platten's vocals are crisp and impressive, where the listener can recall such songstresses as Taylor Swift and Tristan Prettyman. Her lyrics are powerful and they paint a vivid picture in the minds of her listeners."[3]

Commercial performance

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The song first charted in Australia, debuting at 35 on the ARIA Charts on April 12, 2015. The song eventually peaked at number 2 in Australia on July 12, 2015.[4] It later reached number 8 in New Zealand after first being covered as a charity single by The X Factor top 12.[5]

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of May 2, 2015 at number 80, becoming Platten's first entry on the chart.[6] On July 18, 2015, the song entered the top 10 at number 10, becoming her first top 10.[7] On August 19, 2015, the song eventually peaked at number 6.[8] It has also reached quadruple platinum sales in the US, selling over 2 million copies in Platten's home country. "Fight Song" also peaked at number one on the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart for 4 weeks, number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for 4 weeks, number 3 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, number 1 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart, and number 8 on the Pop Songs chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

In the United Kingdom, the song jumped from number sixty eight to the top of the UK Singles Chart on August 28, 2015 – for the week ending date September 3, 2015 – becoming Platten's first chart-topping song, and overall top ten hit, in Britain.[9][10] In the Republic of Ireland, the song peaked at number six on the Irish Singles Chart. On April 25, 2016, this song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart.

On October 31, 2024, The Boston Globe reported that, based on data from Audacy, radio stations 106.7 and 104.1 are playing "Fight Song" nearly 500 times a week despite the song being released nine years ago.[11]

Music video

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An accompanying music video directed by James Lees was released on May 19, 2015.[12] The shooting lasted four days.[13] Platten said of the concept: "I wanted my video to show both sides of that – my fear and pain – but I also hoped to show that sometimes to overcome battles we just have to let go."[14]

Live performances

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Platten performing "Fight Song" at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Invictus Games

On April 25, 2015, Platten performed the song for the first time at the 2015 Radio Disney Music Awards. Platten appeared as a special guest during Taylor Swift's 1989 World Tour in Philadelphia on June 13, 2015, where Platten and Swift performed "Fight Song" together.[15] On August 16, 2015, Platten performed the song at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles.[16] On July 12, 2016, Platten performed "Fight Song" at the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Petco Park in San Diego, where baseball fans and players held up cards with the names of people they knew were battling cancer to dedicate the performance to them.[17] On New Year's Eve 2016−17, Platten sang the song as part of her lineup during the Times Square Ball festivities in New York City's Times Square, which she co-headlined.[18]

Political use

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The song was adopted as a campaign song for Hillary Clinton's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.[19] In February 2016, the campaign began to use the song in conjunction with the slogan "Fighting for Us".[20] It was frequently used at rallies and speeches, with some media commentators labeling the song as synonymous with Clinton's eventual loss in the election.[21][22] An a cappella version of "Fight Song" was performed by a group of celebrities—including Platten—at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and it was played following Clinton's speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.[23][24] Speaking on the song's use by the Clinton campaign, Platten stated: "I'm proud of how it's been used. I don't have any regrets about it."[25]

Usage in media

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  • "Fight Song" was named the official theme song for the 2015 "Rise Above Cancer" campaign that appeared on most WWE shows throughout the month of October as part of the company's partnership with Susan G. Komen.
  • The song has been used in a series of Ford TV commercials for their line of SUV's, namely, the 2015 Ford Edge and 2016 Ford Explorer.
  • "Fight Song" was named the official theme song of the 2016 IIHF World Women's U18 Championship held in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Each game was opened with images of the participating countries as well as flag bearers who represented each country at centre ice as the song played.
  • Calysta Bevier sang "Fight Song" during her audition for the eleventh season of America's Got Talent in 2016. Bevier also sang the same song at a high school talent show, which went on to become a viral video, landing her on The Ellen DeGeneres Show singing the same song with Rachel Platten.[26]

Track listing

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Digital download – single[27]
  1. "Fight Song" – 3:22
  2. "Lone Ranger" – 3:07
Other versions
  • Dave Audé Remix
  • Dave Audé Radio Edit
  • DJ Mike D Remix
  • DJ Mike D Radio Mix

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[70] 5× Platinum 350,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[71] 3× Platinum 240,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] Platinum 90,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[73] Gold 200,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[74] Gold 25,000‡
Mexico (AMPROFON)[75] Platinum 60,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[76] Gold 7,500*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[77] Gold 20,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[78] 2× Platinum 40,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[79] Gold 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[80] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[83] 6× Platinum 2,480,000[82]
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[84] Gold 50,000,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bassett, Dave (April 2, 2015). "Rachel Platten "Fight Song" Sheet Music in G Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  2. ^ "I Hate You, I Love You Composition". Sheet Music. September 11, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Papatados, Markos (June 4, 2015). "Review: Rachel Platten phenomenal on new single 'Fight Song'". Digital Journal. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  4. ^ Trust, Gary (April 22, 2015). "RACHEL PLATTEN - FIGHT SONG (SONG)". Australian-Charts. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "The X Factor NZ Top 12 release 'Fight Song' for charity". More FM. Mediaworks. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  6. ^ Trust, Gary (April 22, 2015). "Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' Tops Hot 100 for Second Week". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Gary Trust (July 8, 2015). "Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' Ties for Longest-Leading Rap No. 1 on Hot 100". Billboard. (Prometheus Global Media). Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  8. ^ Trust, Gary (August 17, 2015). "OMI Back to No. 1 on Hot 100, Lana Del Rey Debuts at No. 7". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  9. ^ "UK Singles Chart, September 3, 2015". www.officialcharts.com.
  10. ^ Moss, Liv (August 28, 2015). "Rachel Platten conquers Official Singles Chart as Fight Song hits Number 1: "I can't really believe it"". officialcharts.com. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  11. ^ "'Fight Song' was Rachel Platten's breakout song. Then, she broke down. - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  12. ^ Gottlieb, Steven (May 19, 2015). "Rachel Platten "Fight Song" (James Lees, dir.)". Video Static. Retrieved June 22, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Wass, Mike (April 20, 2015). "Rachel Platten Talks "Fight Song," Making A Difference And Her Long Road To The Top: Idolator Interview". Idolator. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  14. ^ "Watch a Sneak Peek of Rachel Platten's 'Fight Song' Video". People. May 18, 2015. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  15. ^ McFeeters, Stephanie (June 16, 2015). "Rachel Platten on performing with Taylor Swift". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  16. ^ "Teen Choice Awards: Rachel Platten Performs "Fight Song"". The Hollywood Reporter. August 16, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  17. ^ "Fans, Players Show Their Support for Loved Ones With Cancer at Baseball All-Star Game". Inside Edition. July 13, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  18. ^ Newman, Alex (December 31, 2016). "ICYMI: Newton Native Rachel Platten Headlining New Year's Eve Webcast". Patch Media. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  19. ^ Shanahan, Mark (February 2, 2016). "Hillary Clinton chooses Rachel Platten's 'Fight Song'". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  20. ^ Chozick, Amy (February 3, 2016). "Hillary Clinton Adopts 'Fighter' Theme in a Tough New Hampshire Battle". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  21. ^ Kirkland, Justin (October 15, 2020). "Four Years After 'Fight Song,' Rachel Platten Wishes She Had Used Her Voice Differently". Esquire. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  22. ^ Tan, Shelly (August 20, 2024). "Hype music: Candidate picks for their DNC and RNC entrances". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  23. ^ Drabold, Will (July 27, 2016). "Watch Celebrities Sing 'Fight Song' at the Democratic Convention". Time. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  24. ^ Mandler, C (August 19, 2024). "In a full-circle moment, former nominee Hillary Clinton speaks in support of Harris". NPR. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  25. ^ Wood, Mikael (November 8, 2016). "Rachel Platten on Hillary Clinton's use of 'Fight Song': 'I was a little scared at first'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  26. ^ Jensen, Erin (June 22, 2016). "'America's Got Talent': Simon hits Golden Buzzer for teen cancer survivor". USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
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  72. ^ "Danish single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  73. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Rachel Platten; 'Fight Song')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  74. ^ "Italian single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  75. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved July 10, 2022. Type Rachel Platten in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Fight Song in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  76. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song". Recorded Music NZ. {{cite web}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link]THE FIELD archive-url MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION from obsolete website.
  77. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
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  82. ^ Caulfield, Keith (January 10, 2016). "Adele's '25' Still No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart, Rachel Platten Bows in Top Five". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
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  84. ^ "Japanese single streaming certifications – Rachel Platten – Fight Song" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 27, 2024. Select 2024年8月 on the drop-down menu
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